A HUMAN resource student has found returning to college just the job for getting a foot on the career ladder.

Alice Hoare has secured full-time employment thanks to Darlington College which gave her a part-time admin post to help fund further qualifications.

Alice, who has now taken up her new role as HR advisor at Polar (NE), Middlesbrough, credits the college with helping put her back on course.

“After finishing my A levels I enrolled at university to do an English degree,” said the 20-year-old, of Middlesbrough.

“I didn’t enjoy it very much so I quit without any plans for what I was going to do in the future.

“I did have a part-time job as a receptionist at a leisure company, which I enjoyed and was really pleased when they said that they were going to incorporate an HR element into my role.”

While looking for a full-time position Alice saw that most HR jobs advertised required candidates to have a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualification and decided to enrol at Darlington College to sit her level 5 diploma in HR management.

“I came to Darlington College on a half day release and immediately loved it,” said Alice.

“But a month later I was told by the leisure company that they were cutting my hours which meant that I would need to find another part-time job or have to quit my college course.”

Mentioning her dilemma to her course tutors, Alice was informed of a vacant part-time administration post at the college, which would allow her to continue her studies.

“It was absolutely perfect,” said Alice. “I could still work the shorter hours at the leisure company, allowing me to continue my HR role, and also work and study at the college.”

With renewed confidence Alice began to apply for full-time HR positions and was given an interview with Polar (NE).

“I didn’t hear anything back from them for a while after my interview ,” said Alice. “Then in the space of just two days I was made redundant from the leisure company and offered a full time job at Polar.

“I was absolutely ecstatic, especially as the company said they would like me to continue with my studies at Darlington College and are supporting my day release.

“Darlington College has not only given me the means to continue my studies, with a part-time job, it’s also given me the qualifications and support I need to get a career and an exciting future.”

College tutor Val Swales added: “Alice came to us with some HR experience and proved to be a very keen, enthusiastic student.

“More and more organisations now see HR as a profession in its own right which can add considerable value to their companies.

“We currently have a 100 per cent student pass rate on our diploma in HR management course and in my experience almost 100 per cent of our students go on to secure employment within the industry.”